Keep More of What You Earned in 2025: U.S. Tax Saving
Tax season is in full swing. When the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) was signed into law on July 4, 2025, it permanently extended the lower tax brackets from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and layered on a stack of new deductions that range from tips and overtime pay to car loan interest. If you file by April 15, 2026, these rules apply to your 2025 return right now. Here's every lever worth pulling before April 15. Standard Deduction: The Baseline Just Got Better Before hunting for deductions, know your floor. For 2025, the standard deduction increased to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples filing jointly — about 5% higher than 2024, thanks to the OBBB layering an extra boost on top of normal inflation adjustments. Filing Status 2024 2025 Change Single / MFS $14,600 $15,750 +$1,150 Married Filing Jointly $29,200 $31,500 +$2,300 Head of Household $21,900 $23,625 +$1,725 65+ Additional (single) $1,950 $2,000 +$50 65+ Additional (MFJ each) $1,550 $1,600 +...